<p>My d is a very talented HS Sophmore singer, actress and dancer. She wants to be able to continue her education in MT when she goes to college. We would like to see her get a double major or a minor in MT. We are trying to find schools not to far from Houston. We have heard some information about TCU, Sam Houston State and OKC. Her major would most likely be in Communications or Journalism. We would appreciate any information someone might have on these schools or any others that might fit the criteria. It is very hard to find information on this subject and I am very happy to have found this forum.</p>
<p>Bobbolo, welcome to the MT forum. You might not realize, but this forum is huge and contains a lot of threads with tons of material. There is also a FAQ page with a list of MT schools on it. The material is getting a bit dated, but the school list should be up-to-date. Most of the things you bring up have been discussed a lot previously. For example, the feasibility of double majoring has been discussed. I think there are a couple of schools which do offer an MT minor, but personally I can't imagine how that would work since MT is a double or triple major in its own right. I keep looking at the course schedules for four years at these colleges and thinking there isn't enough acting, there isn't enough voice, there isn't enough dance. I can't imagine trying to condense the studies down into a minor--and what would be the point of minoring in MT anyway? I have a really hard time thinking that one through. For your question about the specific schools: Ericsmom is the CC expert on TCU so you might want to search her posts about TCU or contact her directly. There hasn't been much said on CC about Sam Houston State, but a couple of CC posters have auditioned there as backup for other schools, in the past. By OKC do you mean Oklahoma City University, University of Oklahoma, or University of Central Oklahoma? They all have MT programs. UCO is non-audition, and I only just heard about it recently myself. OCU is well known and well regarded and there is about as much on CC about OCU as on Tisch, including several of its own threads. OU has a less well known program that to our family looks great, also. It has its own thread. My d just auditioned there in October.</p>
<p>colleges for MT and Communications in Texas are:</p>
<p>TCU
UT (acting, dance)
UNT
SMU (acting, dance)
Baylor</p>
<p>Nearby
OU
OCU (don't know about Communications)</p>
<p>good luck,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Mary Anna--I have a question about a couple of the schools on the list you gave. My d and I researched SMU pretty thoroughly to see if it was possible to combine voice, acting, and dance at SMU and, although it would be more than suicide to do so, they very rarely have any MT productions and do not want students performing outside the campus, so we took it off my d's list. Also, UNT put their MT program on hold last year and screwed up a lot of students' lives. I would not say that UNT has an MT program any longer unless something has very recently changed drastically for the better.</p>
<p>Abilene Christian University as an MT major....I don't know much about it.</p>
<p>Bobbolo, CC notified me that you tried to PM me and my inbox was full. My inbox stays full, and I have no time to clean it out. Please send me an e-mail instead by clicking on my name, and choosing send an e-mail to this person from the drop down menu.</p>
<p>I assume you were wondering about TCU from the above. I'll share a little now, and you can ask more questions. These comments are my own and not my son's, although this school is one of a number of schools he likes.</p>
<p>I am not an expert on TCU but am an enthusiastic alum. of the business school. Dramama would be the real CC expert who is much closer to the situation at TCU, and I'm hopeful she will see this thread and share her thoughts.</p>
<p>From what you said, if your daughter's grades are good (academically competitive school), TCU is definitely where you should look. They have a great Communications school. They also have a theatre BFA which can emphasize MT. This BFA does not require an audition except for scholarship consideration. I found TCU to be more flexible than many schools on required classes in the theatre major, and they would be supportive of a double major or minor. I hope you'll go visit and share your thoughts afterwards. I propose that you will love it and stop looking right then. We had the very nicest day at a Monday at TCU program. They know how to treat prospective student right!</p>
<p>That is true about SMU. I know of a couple of students who are studying that way and it is difficult. But the training is excellent. But they rarely do musicals.
I didn't know about UNT's decision. They have an outstanding broadcast journalism department, thjough.</p>
<p>again, best wishes,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>I'm happy to chime in about the merits of TCU, though I may not be very objective since it's my alma mater and I work in their marketing and communications department. I'll try to tell you as a theater mom. </p>
<p>TCU remains on my D's (she is a HS Sophomore) list of schools even though she is planning on trying for some audition-only schools. It offers a great deal of personal attention (12-1 student-to-teacher ratio) from a faculty of respected, working theater professionals, a lovely campus and excellent performing opportunities outside of school. I've been really pleased that the new chairman and the faculty are so involved in the theater community. Last year the musical was a co-production with the largest professional theater in Fort Worth. Yep, we have cowboys here is Cowtown, but there is a thriving, vibrant cultural scene! And Ericsmom is right. If you visit the campus, you will be greeted warmly and embraced.</p>
<p>Last year I had to produce a radio commercial for the university and I emailed one of the musical theater professors to see if she could send some student talent to the school radio station for me. I was so impressed with all the kids. My department frequently calls on them for their services. While not an audition school, there is a great deal of talent here. TCU offers a BFA in theater with a variety of emphases: MT, production, design, TV/Film, and acting. They also offer a BA in Theater with a minor in Secondary Education.</p>
<p>For someone looking for a lot of personal attention and an wonderful, traditional college experience, TCU is a little gem of a school worth considering. Plus, I think the odds of landing a substantial scholarship are excellent. (Register by January 27 for the Feb 4 audition! I know this because I just designed the poster.)</p>
<p>Our most notable alum is Betty Buckley (known around here just as "Betty Lynn") Plus, the mascot is the Horned Frog. How cool is that? Go Frogs!</p>
<p>websites to visit: <a href="http://www.tcu.edu%5B/url%5D">www.tcu.edu</a> <a href="http://www.theatre.tcu.edu%5B/url%5D">www.theatre.tcu.edu</a></p>
<p>dramama - thanks - can you also address his question about majoring in journalism or communications at TCU?</p>
<p>The j school is really getting ramped up at TCU since becoming the Schieffer School of Journalism last year. (newsman Bob Schieffer is another notable alum and he comes to campus regularly) Of course, I'm not really qualified to say how it stacks up against other schools, but I think being in a top ten major broadcast market is probably also a plus.</p>
<p>TCU is also very big on study abroad. I know that both the theater dept and the communications dept have summer programs in London.</p>
<p>A very successful young filmmaker who only recently graduated from TCU (he shot Keane's music video and is well on his way to becoming a successful commercial director) was an RTVF major and a theater minor. He's another young, talented guy my department has hired for several projects.</p>
<p>I wish I could cite more specifics, but I don't want to misrepresent. Do check out the website for more hard facts. I'd say it's definitely worth a look.</p>
<p>Since th Bob Shieffer School of Journalism was started at TCU last year this school has gotten a lot of national attention in the field of journalism. </p>
<p>My niece is a student in the Shieffer School. I would be happy to give you her email if you want to contact me for more information.</p>
<p>xxxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Hello --</p>
<p>I was reading through this thread and saw that UNT's theatre program was put "on hold." </p>
<p>Does anyone know if this included the dance department as well? The two programs are combined.</p>
<p>There's a really good musical theater program at UTEP, the University of Texas in El Paso. No one on this messageboard seems to know about it. </p>
<p>(Sorry for digging up this old thread, by the way)</p>
<p>Don't forget Texas State in San Marcus and
Sam Houston too - here's a recent convo about SH
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=117337%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=117337</a></p>
<p>Mary Anna can probably speak better to this college, however, I have heard that it has a strong musical theater department and should be considered an option. Many students go here for 2 years and then move on to larger universities. They were at the NETD auditions and offered my D a spot in their program for next year that is how I found out about them. </p>
<p>Mary Anna - Please expound or correct my impression. thanks!!!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.quadctheatre.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.quadctheatre.org/</a> is the link to their site. You can read about thier program and see their season which includes a musical.</p>
<p>Brad Baker has taken this program to a new level of excellence for a Junior College. This is a terrific choice for students who may not, for one reason or another, be ready to attend a 4 year university. </p>
<p>The theatre department is highly regarded as one of the best, if not the best, for a two year college.</p>
<p>They contunually win awards at the American College Theatre Festival, have several Irene Ryan finalists and Brad was been named professor of the year by the Carnegie Foundation.</p>
<p>Gail Cronhauer is on faculty. She is a well regarded acting teacher who used to teach acting at SMU. Dr. John can speak about her from their days at SMU. </p>
<p>To their credit, they are also responsible for hosting the NET drama auditions in Dallas each year which gives 35 colleges a look at 200 students for admission.</p>
<p>Hope this is helpful.
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Ho Bobolo,
I'm glad you're daughter is considering Oklahoma City University. OCU does offer a communications major in various fields...broadcast journalism, print and such. We even have our own tv station that is broadcast via Cox Cable on campus to all residents.</p>
<p>If your D would like to double major in communications and music that is possible. However, it will take longer than four years to graduate. OCU's intensive music program does not leave lots of room for additional classes (classes ones would need to to take to complete a communications degree). You could minor in communications. However, I think that will require more than four years as well.</p>
<p>If you are interested, you could contact Mary Mowry at the music school for the best answer! Her number is 1-800-633-7242 or <a href="mailto:mamowry@okcu.edu">mamowry@okcu.edu</a>.
Good luck!</p>